Hello! I hope you are doing great and have had a great week. Thank you for praying for our children who have been so sick. There are now only two of our children who are still sick. Thank goodness that they are better! It is not fun seeing anyone being sick, but especially little children. I worked in the “isolation room” where the sick children were kept separate from those who are not sick. Being with sick children this week has been challenging, but God has given me the strength needed. Mom asked me if I was going to come home and change my major to pediatric nursing and I just don’t think so. But I learned so much-I made a lot of rehydration water for those who were sick because the children were losing so much fluid and not able to keep the formula in their tummy. The rehydration water was 1 liter of hot water with 8 tablespoons of sugar with ½ tablespoons of salt. Thankfully the children drank it so stay hydrated! I was able to spend a lot of time with these children and I wish I could describe them to you by name. I am just amazed at how their personalities are so different and they are each precious in their own way. The youngest child who was sick was 3 months old and God used him to touch my heart…let me tell you the story real quick. I was having a hard day-it was this past weekend, and I felt like I had so much to do-the laundry, bottles, helping with the other children, dishes, cleaning, changing beds, feeding…and I was feeling overwhelmed. On weekends, there are not as many aunties and volunteers to work and it is a very busy time. But there was not a possible way for me to do everything needed and take care of those who were sick and entrusted in my care. And I was so tired and just lost my focus on working for the Lord and in the Lord’s strength. I went into the isolation room to check on the children and one of the boys was crying. I picked him up and cradled him close to me and he immediately stopped crying. I just began to pray to God about all that was on my heart and I started crying just from exhaustion and wondering why I did not pray earlier. My tears began to fall on Mandla. When I looked down at him, he was looking at me. He looked me in the eyes and smiled at me. I felt a God’s love and joy through Mandla’s sweet smile. I believe that God speaks to us every day in small ways, just sometimes we seem to busy to notice or think of the small things like this as a gift from God.
This leads me to tell you something else that God showed me this week. I was reflecting on the number of days we had been here and how many days were left and I realized that this past Friday marks 40 days until Katherine and I leave. I began to think about how the number 40 is such a significant number in the bible and I began to look up different passages about this. In Matthew 4, Jesus was led in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights and he fasted during this time. Jesus was tempted by the devil and he always responded to the devil’s temptations with Scripture. In verse 4 Jesus told the devil, “Man should not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” In verse 10 Jesus said, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” I realized how God’s word is like our spiritual food and can not live a day without it. I also realized that God longs to be the one true God of my life…
Another passage that I wanted to share with you comes from 1 Kings chapter 18. This is about Elijah. Elijah was in the desert, fleeing for his life. An angel appeared to Him and told Elijah to eat. Then he traveled for forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb, where God said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord.” Then there was a powerful wind that tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks, an earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in any of these. After the fire came a gentle whisper…the Lord was in the gentle whisper. I was challenged for the next forty days to focus on serving the Lord with my full heart, looking to His word when I am homesick or have a broken heart and to look for God in the “gentle whispers”-the smile of a child, the sound of laughter, the encouragement of a friend, the warmth of the sunshine(it is cold here-I guess it would be the coolness of shade at home), the songs of birds in the mornings, a sunset, and just to have an open heart to see how God is working everywhere. How do these two Scripture passages challenge you?
On Friday, Katherine and I went with another volunteer named Cornee from Holland to an open flea market called Bruma flea market. This was quite an experience! There was so many beautiful authentically African made things and I was able to buy some really beautiful things. I am not going to tell what because I do not want to spoil surprises for those I bought things for. But what was even more neat was how God opened the door to share with Cornee. I will tell you a bit about him-he is a 40 year old man who we work with at Door of Hope. He works in small babies (newborns to 3 months) but we still see him a lot and know him well and knew it was safe to go with him to Bruma. He helped us when all the Africans said, “Ladies come here! I give the best prices! Come look to see what I have to offer!” After we had shopped for 2-3 hours, we decided we were hungry and wanted to go eat lunch/supper. Well, this meal lasted for a couple of hours because we were just talking and sharing. Cornee came to Door of Hope to try to “find himself again…” he shared with us how empty he feels inside and how his heart has been broken by circumstances in his life. Katherine and I shared why we were here and I shared how I have come to understand how I have found that I know I am only complete in Christ and can only find true purpose, joy, hope, love, abundant life in Him. He seemed to think about his for a while and just said the he could not understand how we could be our own individual self when we are living under the direction of someone watching us in the sky. We shared with him and tried to share our testimony…please pray for this man who is searching and pray that he comes to understand that God wants to know him personally…
This weekend was a great weekend of working and loving the children and I am so glad that they are better!
Yesterday, about 6 of us volunteers went to the Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve and saw some beautiful animals. The lions were so majestic and huge! We saw girl and boy lions-the boy ones are the ones with big manes, which I think everyone knows this but I was not sure so I asked and got made fun of. But we saw baby lion cubs and you could pay to play with them but I didn’t. Sometimes they would bite at you and claw at you and I just decided to watch. We saw cheetahs but did not get to see them run. We saw huge rhinos with their babies. Zebras and their babies, ostriches(they are such funny looking animals), many kinds of antelope, snakes (they were in cages-there were deadly snakes there and a huge python and cobras-I not like), lots of wild birds that were pretty, and we got to see tigers and leopards, but the majestic creatures were in a large cage with lots of land around them and I know they just want to get out and run. But would a tiger eat a lion or a lion eat a tiger? They do not live in the same kind of places do they? Don’t tigers live in the jungle? Oh and we saw hippos and they were swimming and one of them was pregnant and I was afraid she was going to sink to the bottom, but they would blow water out of their nostrils and it looked like a whale doing this. It was funny.
For dinner we ate at a place called Carnivores and it was fun and different. Wait until you hear what I tried…you are going to want to do this too! In the middle of restaurant there is this huge roast thing where all the animals are cooking and it smells really good. Then they bring you huge meats on a big stake and ask you if you would like any. I tried everything!! Let me tell you what I ate: spicy chicken liver, chicken wings, pork sausage, rump steak of beef, leg of lamb, venison meat balls, venison sausage, zebra, kudu, warthog, and crocodile. Oh my goodness! The chicken liver was chunky and very spicy, the chicken wings were like those at home but not fried, the pork sausage was tasty, the beef was normal, the leg of lamb was tender but not much taste, the venison meat ball was delicious, the zebra was white and has a unique taste, the kudu was my favorite(it was like a really lean pot roast and very tender-a kudu is a type of antelope, I think), the warthog was awful-it tasted fishy(I had to spit it out-yucky), and the crocodile had lots of bones in it and I did not like all too much. But it was fun and I hope you all get to eat game animals like that someday..
This week K and I work Wednesday thru Friday. Yesterday, two more of our children were adopted! One of our boys went to Denmark and a young girl went to Norway. I can not imagine the life that God has planned for them there…I do wish that the United States could adopt from South Africa, but right now this is not allowed…we should pray for this. Also continue to pray for a social worker. Last week, two new babies were brought to us from the hospital and they are beautiful-they are also so small and were born premature. But God is showering them with love and care at Door of Hope!
I love you all so much!!!
Love, Rachel
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Pictures!
Much love to you from Rachel and Katherine all the way from South Africa!
I thought this picture was funny. I was joking that the rhino and his Momma were going to have a "play day" with the other rhino momma and baby. And sure enough, we watched them go and meet up together and the baby rhinos started playing!
This is a white lion who roams free at the nature reserve. I had never seen a white lion before. Isn't he majestic? He just looked at our car, trying to figure out what we were and why we were disturbing his peaceful afternoon. His eyes were gold colored.
This is a tiger cub that is at the Lion and Rhino Nature Reserve. So handsome isn't he? Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Prayer Request
Hello friends and family,
I hope that you all are doing good and having a good week. Katherine and I have worked Monday through Wednesday and it has been great but harder beacause our babies are sick! It is Wednesday night here, about 9:00. I just wanted to share a few things with you:
Please pray: Our babies are sick with diarrhea and vomiting. There are only four out of our group of twelve children who are not sick and in an "isolation room" (we have two now). It breaks my heart to see them so sick and crying so much. They do not have an appetite and not wanting to eat-we must feed rehydration water every few hours, which is always a struggle because this does not exactly taste good...Please pray for healing for the children and strength and patience for the other aunties, uncles, and volunteers.
Door of Hope also is in desperate need of a social worker. All of the adoptions are being put on hold because there is not a social worker...which is not good. Please pray that God will provide a social worker who desires to glorify Him and who will truly love the children.
Thank you so much for your prayers...
I also want to tell you something else that happened today. A couple weeks ago, I believe that I told you about two of our little boys who were adopted-one to a family in Holland and another in Sweden. Well, after the adoption, the family has to stay in Johannesburg for 2 weeks with the baby just to make sure that everything is going to be okay and this is also to follow policy. Well, today the two families came today to Door of Hope to tell everyone goodbye and to see where their son lived for the first few months of his life. When they arrived and were taken on a tour of the orphanage, everyone was so excited! This was amazing to see and brought tears to my eyes. Just to see the joy radiating from the new parents' eyes and to see the evident love that each couple had for the small baby that they held in their arms was precious. Each couple was taking pictures, videoing, and talking to all the aunties and uncles. It was like a big renuion. This was truly something I will never forget. I hope that each precious child will have the opportunity to have a family who loves them unconditionally and teaches them about God's amazing love and grace.
Thank you again for your prayers and I love you all!
I hope that you all are doing good and having a good week. Katherine and I have worked Monday through Wednesday and it has been great but harder beacause our babies are sick! It is Wednesday night here, about 9:00. I just wanted to share a few things with you:
Please pray: Our babies are sick with diarrhea and vomiting. There are only four out of our group of twelve children who are not sick and in an "isolation room" (we have two now). It breaks my heart to see them so sick and crying so much. They do not have an appetite and not wanting to eat-we must feed rehydration water every few hours, which is always a struggle because this does not exactly taste good...Please pray for healing for the children and strength and patience for the other aunties, uncles, and volunteers.
Door of Hope also is in desperate need of a social worker. All of the adoptions are being put on hold because there is not a social worker...which is not good. Please pray that God will provide a social worker who desires to glorify Him and who will truly love the children.
Thank you so much for your prayers...
I also want to tell you something else that happened today. A couple weeks ago, I believe that I told you about two of our little boys who were adopted-one to a family in Holland and another in Sweden. Well, after the adoption, the family has to stay in Johannesburg for 2 weeks with the baby just to make sure that everything is going to be okay and this is also to follow policy. Well, today the two families came today to Door of Hope to tell everyone goodbye and to see where their son lived for the first few months of his life. When they arrived and were taken on a tour of the orphanage, everyone was so excited! This was amazing to see and brought tears to my eyes. Just to see the joy radiating from the new parents' eyes and to see the evident love that each couple had for the small baby that they held in their arms was precious. Each couple was taking pictures, videoing, and talking to all the aunties and uncles. It was like a big renuion. This was truly something I will never forget. I hope that each precious child will have the opportunity to have a family who loves them unconditionally and teaches them about God's amazing love and grace.
Thank you again for your prayers and I love you all!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Update
Hello! I hope you all are doing well. I just want to thank you all so much for the emails and encouraging comments you are leaving on my blog. When I opened my email last time I had so many emails and I was flooded with encouragement and support and love. You do not know how much this means to me.
I always have a difficult time knowing where to start when I am trying to tell you what is happening here and all that God is showing me, but I will try me best…J
Last weekend, K and I worked. We are very busy on the weekends because only three of us work and there is not a housekeeper, so we vacumn, clean house, laundry, clean dishes…we do try to help Auntie Loyce (our housekeeper) in all that we can during the week, but I did not realize how much she does each day! Wow…she is from Congo and is here working to try to pay for her family to also come and live in South Africa. She is always smiling and working diligently.
Katherine and I have been working each time with Auntie Veronica. She has worked at Door of Hope for 9 years and loves the children. She loves me and Katherine and we feel loved and accepted by Auntie Veronica. We laugh throughout the day together and share stories about our lives. Auntie loves the Lord and I enjoy hearing her humming and singing throughout the day. She is making sure that K and I are taking care of ourselves and that we are safe. God has shown me so much love and encouragement and has created a special friendship through Auntie Veronica. She wants to come to Yadkinville and meet my family and our church. Maybe someday! I wish that you all could meet her.
Katherine and I have just felt overwhelmed with love by the aunties and uncles we work with each day. I have realized that we truly are a family in Christ. We are all bound by this love for the Lord and a willingness to serve him. The children of Door of Hope are truly loved in Jesus’s name.
On Monday, Katherine and I drove out to Klipriver Nature Reserve and went hiking. It was a beautiful day and we were able to enjoy God’s beautiful creation. We climbed up on a small mountain/hill and could see very far. The beauty here is quite different from what we see at home in the Blue Ridge Mountains or Stone Mountain. God truly is a beautiful God. We saw zebras and we came within seven feet of four zebras. They truly are beautiful animals. We were looking at how detailed and different each of the different zebra’s stripes are and Katherine asked me, “How can you see a this view and look at this zebra and not believe in a Creator?” And to think that this Creator who made the heavens and the stars, the oceans, also made you and me and we are beautiful in His eyes. And this wonderful Creator wants to know us and share each day with us, breaking us free from all that holds us captive from living abundant life in Him…is beyond my comprehension.
The last four days have been very difficult for me. I believe that this has been the hardest week for me, but God has revealed so much to me this week. K and I moved on Tuesday and this was a hard day. We had become adjusted to living at the Baby House and we moved about 15 minutes away into an area of town where we are afraid to leave the gated area and we missed the community of the Baby House. Where we are staying is nice, it is called the Gospel Tract and is connected to a church. They house missionaries who are serving in Johannesburg. We have met a couple from Brazil who are trying to get to Mozambique but are not able due to difficult circumstances. They are trying to start a dental clinic there. They have been here for two months. Their English is limited, for they speak Portuguese. We also have met a lady who has been in South Africa for 4 years as a full time missionary church planting and working with an orphanage. I believe that this moving day was so hard because we had to adjust again to a whole new setting and drive on our own in this big city. But God has given us peace and strength as we have now adjusted to living here. We will be here for at least another week and then we will move in with a host family for the month of July.
Wednesday-Friday we worked at Door of Hope. For some reason, I was questioning why God brought me here this summer. I was really missing home and received a letter in the mail from Kathy Spicer (my “pretend” 9 year old little sister who I go to church with) who told me that she loved me and missed me so much. She drew a frowny face that was crying and I then felt really homesick and wondered if I should have stayed home this summer and loved the children in my own church and community. I was also having a difficult time trying to understand why so many precious children are abandoned and why there is so much heartache…I was holding one of the twins who are 2 weeks old and barely weigh 3 pounds when I began to just cry. The twins are in an isolation room so thankfully no one could see me! I was asking, “Why, Lord? Why are so many children without homes? Why has their family just forgotten them?” That same day we received a young girl who had to be taken away from her home and has a burnt foot and has to see a specialist and take two kinds of medicine…we received a baby who was born yesterday and the mother decided that she could not take care of her…we are running out of beds and working so hard to provide and love for all the children…all of this was too much for this heart of mine to take. I have fallen in love with these children and I wonder about their future. I was quite upset and just began praying for each child, by name, right there in the isolation room when I was holding one of the twins. I was reminded of Jeremiah 29:11-13 which promises that God has plans and purposes for each of his children, plans for a hope and a future. This is also true for the orphans that I am loving this summer. I also know that God led me to this verse this week, for I have never read it before, and if I did, I could not connect with it before:
Isaiah 49:15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you.”
God has not forgotten these little ones; I felt silly and so small for my questioning heart.
When I talked to Katherine and shared with her what my heart was feeling, she told me that she thinks God has led her here because He has taught her and spoke to her in ways that He could not have if she was home this summer. This is very true. I have been challenged in my walk with God so much this summer. I have needed to depend and cry out to him in ways that I never have before. I have realized strongholds that are in my life which are keeping me from serving God to the fullest. My heart has been broken and the only way that it can be whole again is through God’s love and living word, with His promises of unfailing love and faithfulness and plans and presence that is full of joy.
Today I challenge you to think about what is in your life that is distracting you from serving God to the fullest. What is on your heart at this very second that is making it feel heavy or broken? Take this to God, call out to Him, and he will comfort you, speaking to you. Turn to His word and trust in His promises. I have learned that I tend to take my worries, fears, doubts, and heartache to other things other than God. But this is when I am led to into a stronghold, which is anything that stops me from living an abundant life with God. Why have I not recognized this before? God wants us to come to him:
Matthew 11: 28-30 “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
We are unworthy to share every feeling and every circumstance with God, but He wants us to share everything with him-not only our praise, but our burdens, our brokenness, our worries. This is a wonder to me. Take everything to Him, friend, and you will experience His wonderful peace. (Philippians 4: 4-7).
Sorry if this blog entry has seemed sad or not as upbeat as the others. I am just sharing my heart with ya’ll-thanks for taking the time to read. I love you all so much. Talk to you soon!
Pictures!
Another beautiful sunset!
The amazing zebras at Klipriver Nature Reserve.
Me trying to get the precious child to take her morning nap and not cry when I put her down in her crib. She likes to be held :)
Friday, June 12, 2009
Hello!
Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement, I can feel them every day. Monday and Tuesday were me and Katherine’s first two days of “work” and I enjoyed them greatly. The days went by really fast because we were so busy that we were exhausted each night. But it was a good kind of exhausted. On Monday, two of our little boys were adopted-one was adopted by a family in Holland and another by a family in Sweden. Katherine and I bathed them extra good and they looked great! One of the boy’s family changed his African name to a name that is common in our country. Most of the Holland adoptions usually change the children’s names. Two of the smaller babies were moved up into our group-they are about 3 months old. Let me tell you our schedule:
At about 6:45 a quick breakfast
7:00-wake up the children if not already awake (so fun!) Give baths and put on lotion, nappies, and clothes for the day. Door of Hope does not have heat, so the children need about 3-4 layers and we put a big coat on them! I am surprised about how cold it is here. Remember last time when I said that most winters are blue skies and sunshine? Well, it has been rainy and cloudy this week and has gotten cold! I wish I brought more warm clothes, but it okay wearing the same clothes again and again, right? It is not common for South Africa to have rain in their winter months; it is supposed to stop soon. Oh my, how did I get to talking about the weather?
After baths, which takes a while, it is time to feed the children and give medicines. About 5 are eating cereal and the others are still drinking from a bottle. Then we play and love the children until 10:15 and it is “tea time”. The children then take their morning nap. The tea is so popular here…putting a tea bag in a cup of hot water with lots of sugar and milk in it. I have tried it and it is yummy, especially on cold days it is nice to get something warm to drink. At 11:00 we have staff devotions, which is awesome. It is always great to read Scripture together and share how this Scripture has impacted our lives and how it speaks to us. It is also encouraging to share prayer requests and pray together. Then the children begin to wake up from their nap and we begin feeding lunch and changing nappies. Feeding the children lunch is fun but challenging. Many times, I have a hard time getting the child I feed to open his mouth wide enough, he wants to touch the spoon, getting very messy, and when he is eating, he spits the food out of his mouth at times…I laugh a lot during this time. At about 4:00 we begin to change the children into their pajamas. Then we play and love and feed more bottles and change more nappies. During the afternoon, I like to have music time with the children. We get out a few of the toys that are similar to little maracas and the children shake them to the beat.(well, you know, they try) I dance with a couple of the children and act crazy, clapping my hands and dancing around. A few of them look at me like I am a crazy person, but most of the children really enjoy this time. We sing and dance to a kid’s worship CD. And it has the song “How Great is Our God” on it, which is my favorite. Then about 6:00 it is night-night time. We tuck the children into bed and put lots of blankets over them so they do not get cold in the night. There are three rooms-one room for boys, another for girls, and another room where the youngest babies sleep.
Katherine and I have been blessed to get to know Maria and Heather from Virginia. They have become close friends of ours and they love the children so much. Heather brought her guitar and she has a beautiful voice. Maria plays the drums and also has a beautiful voice. One night, after Katherine and I had been working, Heather brought up her guitar and Maria got out a pot (she used it as a drum) and we praised God together in song. I am very thankful for their friendship.
This Wednesday, two week old twins were brought to the Door of Hope. They weigh under 3 pounds and are so small that they were put into the isolation room where only 2-3 aunties can go in to feed them because they can not get sick. The Mom brought the twins to the baby house that in the inner city and said that she could not take care of them and wanted them to be adopted and loved. I can not imagine how hard that must have been for her to do. In the isolation room, there is also a little girl who is HIV positive and she is battling this to her fullest. She is only two months old and so little. We give her several different types of medicine that helps her feel better and will hopefully help her get better. There is so much that can break your heart here, especially when you hear the children’s stories, but I keep remembering that God has a plan and purpose for every child that he fashions and creates beautifully. I am thankful for the opportunity to love and care for these precious children.
I have also been amazed at how small acts of kindness can show others love. Katherine and I went to the mall on Wednesday and ate lunch out. We then decided that we wanted a CD to play in the car and to play upstairs when we are working with the children upstairs as background music. We found a three pack of Hillsong CD’s for about 99 rand, which is about 15 dollars in America. I asked the cashier lady if she was having a good day and she looked at me funny and said, “Why do you want to know?” I told her that I was asking to be nice and because I cared about her. She smiled really big and told me that I had just made her day. She actually came around the counter to hug me and ask about where I was from and why I was in South Africa. I was also surprised how this small act of kindness meant so much to her. Do I take the time to do this in Yadkinville and Boone? I challenge you to think how you can show someone love and kindness through a small act today.
Tuesday night was the first time that I had felt homesick and cried when I called home. You see, Lucas was graduating that night from Forbush and I wanted to be there to support him and when I called home, everyone, including Uncle Buster and his family from Charleston were there and I was sad. But Momma reminded me that I am doing what God has called me to do; she encouraged me so much. And then I cried when I called JJ…but then I wrote God a long letter and looked at the Scriptures that comforted me greatly. I have been absolutely fine since then, but at night sometimes I can get a little bit homesick. Mom, Dad, and Lucas left today to go to Costa Rica to celebrate Lucas’s graduation and I hope they have a fun, safe trip.
Scripture I want to share with you that has spoken to my heart greatly these past few days:
Colossians 1:9-14 Paul prayed “…asking God to fill you with all the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this so that you may live a life WORTHY of the Lord and may PLEASE him in every way: growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great ENDURANCE and PATIENCE, and JOYFULLY GIVING THANKS to the Father….”
When I was so homesick and sad on Tuesday night, God led me to this verse:
John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
My study notes said “In God’s will is the safest place to be because not only are we glorifying God by following Him, but we are also covered by His grace and power in a might way.”
I realized that as Christ’s disciples, we must follow where He leads us, because only when we follow His will can we find true purpose, fulfillment, and joy. God reminded me that He was with me and I should not be homesick….
I love you all and thank you for taking the time to read my blog and encourage me. J
If you could pray:
~for the 4 children who are very sick here and need God’s healing
~for loving, Christian parents to be found for each precious child
~that Katherine and I will be lights of love here to the “aunties”, “uncles”, and other volunteers
If there is anything that I can be praying specifically for any of you, let me know! I have lots of free time on my days off and am able to spend much time in prayer and reading the word. If you do not want to post it on the blog for others to see, email me at rb75848@gmail.com.
Thank you so much!
At about 6:45 a quick breakfast
7:00-wake up the children if not already awake (so fun!) Give baths and put on lotion, nappies, and clothes for the day. Door of Hope does not have heat, so the children need about 3-4 layers and we put a big coat on them! I am surprised about how cold it is here. Remember last time when I said that most winters are blue skies and sunshine? Well, it has been rainy and cloudy this week and has gotten cold! I wish I brought more warm clothes, but it okay wearing the same clothes again and again, right? It is not common for South Africa to have rain in their winter months; it is supposed to stop soon. Oh my, how did I get to talking about the weather?
After baths, which takes a while, it is time to feed the children and give medicines. About 5 are eating cereal and the others are still drinking from a bottle. Then we play and love the children until 10:15 and it is “tea time”. The children then take their morning nap. The tea is so popular here…putting a tea bag in a cup of hot water with lots of sugar and milk in it. I have tried it and it is yummy, especially on cold days it is nice to get something warm to drink. At 11:00 we have staff devotions, which is awesome. It is always great to read Scripture together and share how this Scripture has impacted our lives and how it speaks to us. It is also encouraging to share prayer requests and pray together. Then the children begin to wake up from their nap and we begin feeding lunch and changing nappies. Feeding the children lunch is fun but challenging. Many times, I have a hard time getting the child I feed to open his mouth wide enough, he wants to touch the spoon, getting very messy, and when he is eating, he spits the food out of his mouth at times…I laugh a lot during this time. At about 4:00 we begin to change the children into their pajamas. Then we play and love and feed more bottles and change more nappies. During the afternoon, I like to have music time with the children. We get out a few of the toys that are similar to little maracas and the children shake them to the beat.(well, you know, they try) I dance with a couple of the children and act crazy, clapping my hands and dancing around. A few of them look at me like I am a crazy person, but most of the children really enjoy this time. We sing and dance to a kid’s worship CD. And it has the song “How Great is Our God” on it, which is my favorite. Then about 6:00 it is night-night time. We tuck the children into bed and put lots of blankets over them so they do not get cold in the night. There are three rooms-one room for boys, another for girls, and another room where the youngest babies sleep.
Katherine and I have been blessed to get to know Maria and Heather from Virginia. They have become close friends of ours and they love the children so much. Heather brought her guitar and she has a beautiful voice. Maria plays the drums and also has a beautiful voice. One night, after Katherine and I had been working, Heather brought up her guitar and Maria got out a pot (she used it as a drum) and we praised God together in song. I am very thankful for their friendship.
This Wednesday, two week old twins were brought to the Door of Hope. They weigh under 3 pounds and are so small that they were put into the isolation room where only 2-3 aunties can go in to feed them because they can not get sick. The Mom brought the twins to the baby house that in the inner city and said that she could not take care of them and wanted them to be adopted and loved. I can not imagine how hard that must have been for her to do. In the isolation room, there is also a little girl who is HIV positive and she is battling this to her fullest. She is only two months old and so little. We give her several different types of medicine that helps her feel better and will hopefully help her get better. There is so much that can break your heart here, especially when you hear the children’s stories, but I keep remembering that God has a plan and purpose for every child that he fashions and creates beautifully. I am thankful for the opportunity to love and care for these precious children.
I have also been amazed at how small acts of kindness can show others love. Katherine and I went to the mall on Wednesday and ate lunch out. We then decided that we wanted a CD to play in the car and to play upstairs when we are working with the children upstairs as background music. We found a three pack of Hillsong CD’s for about 99 rand, which is about 15 dollars in America. I asked the cashier lady if she was having a good day and she looked at me funny and said, “Why do you want to know?” I told her that I was asking to be nice and because I cared about her. She smiled really big and told me that I had just made her day. She actually came around the counter to hug me and ask about where I was from and why I was in South Africa. I was also surprised how this small act of kindness meant so much to her. Do I take the time to do this in Yadkinville and Boone? I challenge you to think how you can show someone love and kindness through a small act today.
Tuesday night was the first time that I had felt homesick and cried when I called home. You see, Lucas was graduating that night from Forbush and I wanted to be there to support him and when I called home, everyone, including Uncle Buster and his family from Charleston were there and I was sad. But Momma reminded me that I am doing what God has called me to do; she encouraged me so much. And then I cried when I called JJ…but then I wrote God a long letter and looked at the Scriptures that comforted me greatly. I have been absolutely fine since then, but at night sometimes I can get a little bit homesick. Mom, Dad, and Lucas left today to go to Costa Rica to celebrate Lucas’s graduation and I hope they have a fun, safe trip.
Scripture I want to share with you that has spoken to my heart greatly these past few days:
Colossians 1:9-14 Paul prayed “…asking God to fill you with all the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this so that you may live a life WORTHY of the Lord and may PLEASE him in every way: growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great ENDURANCE and PATIENCE, and JOYFULLY GIVING THANKS to the Father….”
When I was so homesick and sad on Tuesday night, God led me to this verse:
John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
My study notes said “In God’s will is the safest place to be because not only are we glorifying God by following Him, but we are also covered by His grace and power in a might way.”
I realized that as Christ’s disciples, we must follow where He leads us, because only when we follow His will can we find true purpose, fulfillment, and joy. God reminded me that He was with me and I should not be homesick….
I love you all and thank you for taking the time to read my blog and encourage me. J
If you could pray:
~for the 4 children who are very sick here and need God’s healing
~for loving, Christian parents to be found for each precious child
~that Katherine and I will be lights of love here to the “aunties”, “uncles”, and other volunteers
If there is anything that I can be praying specifically for any of you, let me know! I have lots of free time on my days off and am able to spend much time in prayer and reading the word. If you do not want to post it on the blog for others to see, email me at rb75848@gmail.com.
Thank you so much!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
A few pictures
I am not allowed to put pictures of the children's faces on the Internet, so I can't put many of the pictures that I have taken, but I will post a few! For some reason, I can not move my pictures to be under the text, so I just have to leave it like that way it uploaded. So sorry! And once again, sorry that I can't put pictures of the kids on the Internet, but I will show pictures when I get home.
The first picture is of Katherine and I this morning. We were sitting on the top bunk of our beds and just talking and reading. I am so thankful that she and I are able to share this trip together. She has so much love for the children too!
The second picture is of one of our kitchen sinks-it gets full of baby bottles during the day, which we clean and then sterlize in large bins of hot, hot cleaning water. The fidge is full of little bins with each child's name on it because each bottle needs to have different ounces in it.
The third picture is of a beautiful sunset from the balcony of Door of Hope. The clouds in the sky are not normal for a winter day in South Africa. All the winter days are usually blue sky and sunny-my favorite!
Lots of love to you all!I'm here!!!
Well, I just do not know where to start!! Today is Saturday and Katherine and I arrived on Wednesday night. So much has happened that I just do not know where to begin…well, I will start with the plane ride. We were on the plane for about 16 hours but we had lots of fun. On international flights, you can watch free movies-as many as you want! Daddy, you would love that wouldn’t you? I watched “Bedtime Stories” –it was cute! Then Katherine and I watched “New in Town.” It was cute too. I got to read a lot…but even on the plane, God opened the door for me to share about his unfailing love. I will tell you a bit about this story. About half a hour into the flight, a lady came to me and said, “Can I sit here? My movie thinge is not working. I can not sleep on the plane and I usually watch 7 or 8 movies.” (I forgot to tell you that I had a open seat beside of me-I was in the middle of a row of three seats). Well, when she sat down, I started asking her questions. Her name was Hero and she was a very sweet lady. She is from Johnannesburg. A few hours later, she decided she was tired of watching movies and started talking to me. She asked me why I was going to South Africa….she is a follower of scientology. She listened to the gospel, but told me that she could not believe this. Only she can be her Savior…pray for her…pray that she will have on open heart to God’s love and offer of salvation.
When we arrived at the Baby House, we were so excited and put out suitcases in our room. For two weeks, we are living in the “flat” under the baby house. It is nice and cozy. Then we went upstairs and met “aunties” who are so sweet! These ladies are Africans who work for Door of Hope. They are so open and sweet to the volunteers and are always willing to teach us of give us a baby to feed. The first night, I was able to feed a precious baby named Moses. The infant room has 11 babies who are the ages from 5 days to 3 months. Katherine and I are working with the “big babies” which are aged from 3 months to 1 ½ years. They are precious! Downstairs, there is a starfish program which houses special needs babies and toddlers. All together, there are 30 precious children living here at Door of Hope. I wish I could put up pictures, but this is against policy of the orphanage. We are not allowed to post names or pictures of the children on the Internet, but when I get home, I will show you all pictures! I have a lot already. On Monday, two of the children in our big babies class are being adopted. Door of Hope began in 1999 and already about 700 children have come through Door of Hope and ¼ have been adopted. This is wonderful. I know that God has a plan and purpose for each precious child that he has created. I am thankful for the opportunity to love and take care of these children. They share as much love to me as I give to them!
Katherine and I have a car-it is very cute. We drove on the left side of the road yesterday! You bet we were scared…but we did it and it’s really not that difficult, we must be thinking each moment. It’s quite fun. Yesterday we also had orientation where we learned all day so much! We worked with the aunties who taught us the way to bathe the babies, where to find clothes, blankets, how to prepare bottles, what time to take naps, how to record feeding and “nappie” (diaper) changes, laundry, cleaning, which babies need what medicine… I worked very hard to memorize and say right each child’s name. Their names are beautiful and quite different from American names. The aunties have asked Katherine and I why we can only stay 2 months…they said they want us to stay longer. I wonder how Katherine and I will feel at the end of this two months?
I have also enjoyed staff devotions. I am trying to learn eveyone’s name and if I do not I can just say “auntie”. When we pray, we each pray aloud and I love to hear the mixture of several different languages and accents, all lifting praises and requests to our Heavenly Father. We have volunteers from Holland, England, America, and the Congo; most of the aunties are from different countries in Africa. I love to listen to what their life is like and see pictures of their children-most have between 5-8 children of their own.
Each child here has their own unique personality. I love to see their smiles, hear their giggles, and have them reach up for me to hold them. I wish I could describe to you the children by name, but I can’t. Whenever I feed a child a bottle, he/she always looks you in the eyes. I usually sing to them and sometimes they fall asleep while I am feeding them! I guess I don’t need to sing and rock and feed their bottles at the same time, huh?
Today is Saturday and Katherine and I have the weekend off to rest. We will start work Monday. We will work every other weekend…I do believe that we are going to be very busy. I am grateful and excited for the time to spend here in South Africa. I have already love the children and aunties very much. But at night, sometimes I feel a little sad because I miss home and miss my family and JJ. But when I feel that way, I just look the Scriptures for comfort and strength. I know that God has led me here this summer and I want Him to use me for His glory. I know that I should focus on Him and not on being away from home. It is amazing how God’s word is definitely living and active. I have read Scripture that I have read many times before and it has taken a whole new meaning this week. Isn’t God amazing?
Here are a few Scriptures to share with you:
2 Thessalonians 1:12 “We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of your Lord.”
Hebrews 6:19 “This hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast…”
Psalm 139 “Where can I flee from your presence?....Even if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Today is Saturday. We are about 6 hours ahead of time than at home. Many of you are just waking up right now. Katherine and I are at a nearby mall maybe 5 minutes away from our home here at an Internet café. I am not sure how often we will be able to come back here, but I will try to update you all as much as I can. We are living up on a hill that overlooks the city and it is beautiful. I often look out the window and think of the song “God of this city.” There is a lot of evil that happens in this beautiful city; in Johannsburg alone, at least one baby is abandoned every day.
I love you all..thank you for your constant prayers and support. I miss you but will see you soon!
Much love,
Rachel
When we arrived at the Baby House, we were so excited and put out suitcases in our room. For two weeks, we are living in the “flat” under the baby house. It is nice and cozy. Then we went upstairs and met “aunties” who are so sweet! These ladies are Africans who work for Door of Hope. They are so open and sweet to the volunteers and are always willing to teach us of give us a baby to feed. The first night, I was able to feed a precious baby named Moses. The infant room has 11 babies who are the ages from 5 days to 3 months. Katherine and I are working with the “big babies” which are aged from 3 months to 1 ½ years. They are precious! Downstairs, there is a starfish program which houses special needs babies and toddlers. All together, there are 30 precious children living here at Door of Hope. I wish I could put up pictures, but this is against policy of the orphanage. We are not allowed to post names or pictures of the children on the Internet, but when I get home, I will show you all pictures! I have a lot already. On Monday, two of the children in our big babies class are being adopted. Door of Hope began in 1999 and already about 700 children have come through Door of Hope and ¼ have been adopted. This is wonderful. I know that God has a plan and purpose for each precious child that he has created. I am thankful for the opportunity to love and take care of these children. They share as much love to me as I give to them!
Katherine and I have a car-it is very cute. We drove on the left side of the road yesterday! You bet we were scared…but we did it and it’s really not that difficult, we must be thinking each moment. It’s quite fun. Yesterday we also had orientation where we learned all day so much! We worked with the aunties who taught us the way to bathe the babies, where to find clothes, blankets, how to prepare bottles, what time to take naps, how to record feeding and “nappie” (diaper) changes, laundry, cleaning, which babies need what medicine… I worked very hard to memorize and say right each child’s name. Their names are beautiful and quite different from American names. The aunties have asked Katherine and I why we can only stay 2 months…they said they want us to stay longer. I wonder how Katherine and I will feel at the end of this two months?
I have also enjoyed staff devotions. I am trying to learn eveyone’s name and if I do not I can just say “auntie”. When we pray, we each pray aloud and I love to hear the mixture of several different languages and accents, all lifting praises and requests to our Heavenly Father. We have volunteers from Holland, England, America, and the Congo; most of the aunties are from different countries in Africa. I love to listen to what their life is like and see pictures of their children-most have between 5-8 children of their own.
Each child here has their own unique personality. I love to see their smiles, hear their giggles, and have them reach up for me to hold them. I wish I could describe to you the children by name, but I can’t. Whenever I feed a child a bottle, he/she always looks you in the eyes. I usually sing to them and sometimes they fall asleep while I am feeding them! I guess I don’t need to sing and rock and feed their bottles at the same time, huh?
Today is Saturday and Katherine and I have the weekend off to rest. We will start work Monday. We will work every other weekend…I do believe that we are going to be very busy. I am grateful and excited for the time to spend here in South Africa. I have already love the children and aunties very much. But at night, sometimes I feel a little sad because I miss home and miss my family and JJ. But when I feel that way, I just look the Scriptures for comfort and strength. I know that God has led me here this summer and I want Him to use me for His glory. I know that I should focus on Him and not on being away from home. It is amazing how God’s word is definitely living and active. I have read Scripture that I have read many times before and it has taken a whole new meaning this week. Isn’t God amazing?
Here are a few Scriptures to share with you:
2 Thessalonians 1:12 “We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of your Lord.”
Hebrews 6:19 “This hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast…”
Psalm 139 “Where can I flee from your presence?....Even if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Today is Saturday. We are about 6 hours ahead of time than at home. Many of you are just waking up right now. Katherine and I are at a nearby mall maybe 5 minutes away from our home here at an Internet café. I am not sure how often we will be able to come back here, but I will try to update you all as much as I can. We are living up on a hill that overlooks the city and it is beautiful. I often look out the window and think of the song “God of this city.” There is a lot of evil that happens in this beautiful city; in Johannsburg alone, at least one baby is abandoned every day.
I love you all..thank you for your constant prayers and support. I miss you but will see you soon!
Much love,
Rachel
Monday, June 1, 2009
Psalm 86
Psalm 86:
Protect me, O Lord, for I am devoted to you. You are my God. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You ar e forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. You are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart, I will glorify your name forever.
Protect me, O Lord, for I am devoted to you. You are my God. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You ar e forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. You are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God. Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth. Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart, I will glorify your name forever.
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